The Exorcist III, the motion picture version of Legion, was released in 1990, both scripted and directed by Blatty. Lee J. Cobb—Detective Kinderman in The Exorcist—had died, and George C. Scott was cast as the Jewish protagonist. His portrayal of the role is very different, more aggressive and even surly, although most critics praised him for it. A tired Jason Miller returned as Father Karras, his suffering face perfect for his minor but moving role; Brad Dourif as the Gemini Killer stole the screen from everyone except Scott.

The motion picture seems to have a split personality, largely understated in its depiction of horrors (even more than the novel), then overblown with pointless special effects in a new ending written for it. In the hospital cell with the spirit of the Gemini Killer, his adversaries face flames, serpents, an exploding Bible, and a floor opening...